I did a side by side last year, and overall I found midnight Ryder to be more intense across the board... More piney hops, huge roast, thicker mouthfeel... It really made blacktop taste light and delicate.

Try Lake Superior Deep Water Black IPA. Just showed up in the metro, I remember trying it last year and thinking it was pretty good. Not as dry as Midnight Ryder, but plenty meaty. I'm also reminded of the 3rd Street black IPA when I think about Blacktop.

Try Lake Superior Deep Water Black IPA. Just showed up in the metro, I remember trying it last year and thinking it was pretty good. Not as dry as Midnight Ryder, but plenty meaty. I'm also reminded of the 3rd Street black IPA when I think about Blacktop.

I like both beers a lot, but definately I give Blacktop the edge. It seems like Blacktop has a much better mouthfeel & a better balance between malt and hops. It is more of a black IPA. Midnight Ryder seems more like an overly hoppy & fairly roasty RIS that is a little rough around the edges. I also like that Midnight Ryder is a canned beer, but overall New Glarus makes a better black IPA.